The Ballad of Teena Marie: Life, Music, and Soul Across the American Color Line
Joshua Gamson
Jan 2027 · Simon and Schuster
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About this audiobook
From the award-winning author of The Fabulous Sylvester comes an exploration of the improbable rise of Teena Marie, the white queen of soul who without ever being accused of cultural appropriation, defied genre, transcended race, and left a catalogue of music that is still adored today.
This book unravels the enduring mystery of Teena Marie—a once-in-a-generation R&B and soul powerhouse who defied every expectation placed on her. A white artist who found her true home in Black music and Black life, she broke through the music industry’s racial and gender barriers to become not just a Motown star, but also a beloved figure in Black America.
Mentored by Rick James and embraced by a community that claimed her as their own, Teena didn’t just cross over—she connected. When she died, as Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote, “On every Martin Luther King Ave, there was a collective wail.” This is the story of how she earned that love—and what it meant.
This book unravels the enduring mystery of Teena Marie—a once-in-a-generation R&B and soul powerhouse who defied every expectation placed on her. A white artist who found her true home in Black music and Black life, she broke through the music industry’s racial and gender barriers to become not just a Motown star, but also a beloved figure in Black America.
Mentored by Rick James and embraced by a community that claimed her as their own, Teena didn’t just cross over—she connected. When she died, as Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote, “On every Martin Luther King Ave, there was a collective wail.” This is the story of how she earned that love—and what it meant.
From the award-winning author of The Fabulous Sylvester comes an exploration of the improbable rise of Teena Marie, the white queen of soul who without ever being accused of cultural appropriation, defied genre, transcended race, and left a catalogue of music that is still adored today.
This boo...
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About the author
Joshua Gamson is a scholar of popular culture and social change, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a professor of sociology. He is the author of several award-winning books, including The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, The Music, The Seventies in San Francisco. His writing has appeared in publications such as The American Prospect and The New York Times Magazine, and he has appeared widely in other media, including NPR, The Atlantic, Billboard, The Guardian, and numerous documentaries, symposia, and podcasts.
Joshua Gamson is a scholar of popular culture and social change, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a professor of sociology. He is the author of several award-winning books, including The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, The Music, The Seventies in San Francisco. His writing has appeared in publications su...
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